Martinez Twins Fanfiction

Chapter 22

• • •

"Are you ready to go?" I ask Marlee. "Your parents will be here any minute."

She nods. "I can't thank you enough for saving me and letting me heal here. I owe you so much."

I shake my head. "Stop. You owe me nothing. Now, c'mon. Let's wait in the kitchen."

Marlee hops off the bed and follows me out of Erika's room and to the kitchen, only limping a little bit. Everyone in the house is there, ready to say goodbye because Marlee is going back home.

Anthony hands Marlee a box of cookies with bow tied to the top. "To help you heal faster," he tells her, winking.

She accepts the gift and gives everyone a hug. "Thank you all for your kindness and hospitality," she tells us.

I laugh. "If you say thank you one more time..." I warn jokingly. Everyone laughs.

"Oh wait!" I say, remembering something. I grab a napkin off the counter, write down my number, and hand it to Marlee. "Keep in touch, kiddo."

Her eyes widen. "Yay! Thank y-" she puts her hand over her mouth to stop herself.

I laugh as the doorbell rings. Erika rushes to open the door. As soon as Marlee's parents see her, they run inside and wrap their arms around her.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" they cheer.

"Hi Mom! Hi Dad! I'm fine, all because of them." Marlee replies, turning around to point at all of us.

Her parents stand up. "Thank you all so much. You saved our baby girl," her mother says. Then she points to me. "And, you! I saw you in the newspaper. You ran straight into that alley to beat up that man. You're a hero!"

I blush. "Oh, uh, I wasn't trying to-"

She cuts me off. "Don't do that."

"What?"

"Don't act like it was nothing. You saved Marlee's life. That's a big deal. I will forever be grateful."

My cheeks get even redder. "Oh, well then, you're welcome," I say, not sure how to respond.

She laughs. "You're too humble."

Marlee's dad speaks up. "Okay, I think we should get going now. I have lasagna in the oven."

"Yes! I love lasagna!" Marlee cheers. Her parents start to head out the door, but she turns around and runs back to me.

"Hopefully I'll see you soon," she whispers.

"Don't forget to text me," I respond.

She lets go and runs to catch up to her parents. I walk to the door and wave as they pull out of the driveway.

I close the door and turn around to head back up to my room. I curl up on my bed and begin reading The Selection, my favorite book.

After a few hours, there's a knock on my door.

"Come in!" I call.